April 21, 2014  by

Curbside Cool

Why cities are turning to public transportation as a new advertising platform.

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Picture this: you’re heading for the bus to start your typical Monday morning commute. As you approach your stop, you notice something new. The bus shelter is glowing. Yes, I said GLOWING…and…. PLAYING MUSIC! In Chicago and in many other locations around the world, interactive bus shelters are becoming all the rage. You’ll see very serious business people now waiting at quirky and fun bus stops. From ice capped mountains in the middle of summer, to racing greyhounds above your head, these new marketing campaigns are drawing attention. Suddenly, your commute seems a little less inconvenient and a little more pleasant.

So, why bus stops? It’s simple. They’re located directly on the curb, inches away from major streets and busy intersections. These locations are already visible to a constant flow of cars, pedestrians and bus riders. The 24/7  accessibility creates the perfect opportunity for a truly eye-catching display. Not only are they visually interesting, but many of these bus shelter designs are created with a savvy marketing plan in mind. The hipster commuter who lives in Logan Square and commutes downtown? No problem. The professional woman who lives on Michigan Ave and works in the South Loop? It’s covered. Companies are using these ad displays to target specific demographics and hone in on their customer base, while still appealing to new users.

It’s a pretty cool trend that doesn’t seems to be slowing down any time soon.

Have you seen these displays where you live? Tell us about it in the comments or tweet your favorite pictures to @rtklassociates. 

Cover image via cityofanderson.org

CallisonRTKL

CallisonRTKL

For more than five decades, Callison and RTKL have created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. In 2015, our two practices came together under the Arcadis umbrella, expanding our sphere of influence and the depth and breadth of our resources. Our team is comprised of nearly 2,000 creative, innovative professionals throughout the world who are committed to advancing our client’s businesses and enhancing quality of life.
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